ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
Translation of Prime Minister’s remarks at video inauguration of bilateral projects during the official visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 5 October 2019
Your excellency, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,
Excellencies,
Friends,
Namaskar!!
Sabaaike Sharodeeyo Shubhechha!
I am happy that for the opportunity to inaugurate three more bilateral projects with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Ji. In the past one year, we have launched 9 projects through video links. Adding the three projects of today, we have launched a dozen joint projects in a year. I congratulate the officials and citizens of both countries on this achievement.
Today's three projects are in three different areas: - LPG import, vocational training and social facility. But the purpose of all three is the same. And that is - to improve the lives of our citizens. This is also the main principle of India-Bangladesh relations. The basis of the India-Bangladesh partnership is that our friendship ensures the development of every citizen of ours.
The supply of bulk LPG from Bangladesh will benefit both countries. This will also increase exports, income and employment in Bangladesh. Reduction of 1500 km transportation distance will also result in economic benefits and reduced damage to the environment. The second project- Bangladesh-India Professional Skill Development Institute will prepare skilled manpower and technicians for the industrial development of Bangladesh.
Excellencies,
Last but not the least, the project of Vivekananda Bhavan at the Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka, which takes inspiration from the lives of two great human beings, Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda who have indelible influence on our societies and values.
Like the generosity and open spirit of Bangla culture, this mission also has a place for followers of all sects. And this mission celebrates the festival of every sect with equal fervor and vigor. The building has arrangements for accommodation of more than 100 university students and research scholars.
Excellency,
India prioritizes its partnership with Bangladesh. We are proud that India-Bangladesh relationship is a great example of cooperation between two friendly neighbors. I am glad that our interaction today will give more energy to our relationship.
Jai Hind! Jai Bangla! Jai Bharat-Bangla Bandhutva!
Thank you.
Disclaimer: PM's speech was delivered in Hindi. This is an approximate translation of the speech.
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
Statement by Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
It it is both astonishing and saddening that members of the opposition, especially senior members of the Congress party, have deviated from the well-known truth about what transpired in the recently concluded session, in the Rajya Sabha. The opposition appeared committed to hampering the running of the house. The public of our country and even history is witness to the level of noise and indiscipline the opposition has made a kind of practice to bring to the sittings of the house. In fact the opposition appears to use every means to not let the house proceedings carry on. It was painful, when some members of the opposition reduced the temple of democracy to a theatre of street fight.
The Chairman, deeply pained, reached out to the opposition to break the stalemate. The opposition came back in multiple voices which were unclear and contradictory at the same time. Duplicitousness was obvious beneath some weak conciliatory overtures. When the Chairman reached out in a concrete manner, the response proved that the intention beneath the conciliatory talk was that the House not run. Now in order to somehow create the opposite narrative, senior members of the Congress party such as Shri Jairam Ramesh by casting aspersions on the functioning of a Constitutional authority, the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, do a disfavour not only to the truth, but to democracy itself.
We would urge the members of the opposition to accept their role of opposition with grace, participate in the smooth functioning of our democracy and not make factually and morally incorrect statements.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
WCD Minister inaugurates National Consultation on rescue & rehabilitation of child labour to mark the “World Day against Child Labour- 2019”
Need to make fight against child labour a ‘Jan Andolan’: WCD Minister Smt Smriti Zubin Irani
The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the NationalConsultation Workshop on Standard Operating Procedure  for Rescue and Rehabilitation of Child Labour to mark the “World Day Against Child Labour- 2019”in New Delhi today.The one-day workshop was organised by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Senior officials from Department of Labour & Employment , Department of Women & Child Development, Department of Mines & Geology, Department of Legal Affairs and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights  & State Nodal Officers from all the States/UTs were among those who attended the Conference.
Addressing the participants, the WCD Ministerappreciated the numerous initiatives taken up by NCPCR, WCD Ministry & Railway Ministry to rescue and rehabilitate children in needand also recognised the indispensable role of various StateGovernments in sensitising the society on the issue of child labour. The Minister said that there is a critical need to strengthen Child Welfare Committees  and formulate Training Modules for district nodal officers. Smt Smriti Irani also suggested to ensure that a rescued child gets a healthy environment and is not forced back into labour.The minister said that the evil of Child Labour can be eliminated only when fight against ‘Child labour’ becomes a Jan Andolan or people’s movement and urged the neighbourhood entities like RWAs and Market associations to join the campaign.‘It should become a matter of social shame to employ a child’ she said.
During the Workshop, Chairperson, NCPCR, Shri Priyank Kanoongo, stated that the consultation is a step in right direction to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure which would help in streamlining the process of rescue, rehabilitation of children. He also highlighted that the SOP would help in creating a Legislative Convergence.
Keeping in view the challenges faced by the children and the agencies dealing with rescue and rehabilitation of children involved in child labour, NCPCR is developing a Standard Operating Procedures on “Rescue & Rehabilitation of Children involved in Child Labour” .
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has pledged its commitment to build a conducive society for children's overall growth and development.
Special Service and Features
Regional Workshop on “Care through Ayurveda during COVID 19 Pandemic”
Regional Outreach Bureau Kerala, under Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in association with National Ayush Mission and Thiruvananthapuram District Women and Child Development Department today conducted a Regional Workshop on “Care through Ayurveda during COVID 19 Pandemic”.
Participating in the programme, Dr. G.P. Siddhi , State Coordinator, ISM Ayur Raksha Clinic informed that Government of Kerala approved Ayurvedic treatment for COVID now. It will boost their activities in the area of COVID treatment. Till date ISM Ayur Raksha Clinics were focusing on providing preventive medicines to improve people's immunity through their major schemes, namely Swasthyam, Sukhayushyam, Punarjani, and Amritham.
She stressed on the importance of complying the mask, hand wash, social distancing norms along with practicing a healthy life style to prevent COVID 19. While explaining about various symptoms of COVID 19 she also warned about the Post COVID syndrome.
While delivering Keynote Address, Dr Neethu Sona, Joint Director, Regional Outreach Bureau said that Ayurveda is a part of our tradition and we should be able use it effectively to prevent pandemic like COVID 19.
Smt. K.A. Beena, Deputy Director, Regional Outreach Bureau who is also a COVID Survivor, shared her experience with Ayurdeva in keeping body healthy during and after COVID 19.
Smt K H Lajeena, District Programme Officer, District Women and Child Development Department, Thiruvananthapuram also spoke. Shri L C Ponnumon, Field Exhibition Officer moderated the programme. More than 100 CDPOs, ICDS Supervisors and ICDS workers along with Officers and staff of Regional Outreach Bureau and seven Field Outreach Bureaus participated in the workshop.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Domestic Market Share of Air India
(The share of Air India, in terms of domestic passengers, for the year 2016-17 is about 14.2 percent of the total scheduled operations for domestic passengers. The growth of domestic air passengers in scheduled operations in the last three years in the country is as follows:-
|
|
Year
|
|
Domestic
|
|
Total Passengers

|
|
% Change over previous year

|
|
2013-14
|
|
60.67
|
|
4.84
|
|
2014-15
|
|
70.08
|
|
15.52
|
|
2015-16
|
|
85.20
|
|
21.57
|
|
2016-17
|
|
103.75
|
|
21.77
This information was given by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Shri Jayant Sinha in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Swarnim Vijay Varsh Victory Flame at Diglipur & Landfall Island
Key Highlights:
- Joint Services Cycle Expedition of Andaman & Nicobar Command culminates at Diglipur
- The team hands over Victory Flame to Indian Naval Ship Kohassa Capt Satish Mishra
- The flame taken through streets of Diglipur & nearby villages
- Reaches shores of Landfall Island after traversing 60 kms onboard IN LCU 58
The Joint Services Cycle Expedition of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, accompanying the Swarnim Vijay Varsh Victory Flame, culminated at Diglipur on August 09, 2021. The cyclists successfully peddled 350 kms for over five days and reached Sports Stadium, Diglipur culminating the expedition.
At the stadium, the Victory Flame was received by Commanding Officer of Indian Naval Ship Kohassa Capt Satish Mishra with full military honors. The event was attended by Asst Commissioner of North Andaman Shri Shailendra Kumar and DSP Diglipur Shri RK Sharma.
The flame was later taken through the prominent streets of Diglipur and nearby villages - Aerial Bay, Durgapur, Shibpur and Kalipur. Posters and banners highlighting the significance of the flame and the 1971 war were distributed amongst the residents.
Onboard Indian Navy Landing Craft Utility  58, accompanied by INS Saryu and IN LCU 54, the flame departed from Diglipur and reached the shores of Landfall Island after traversing a distance of 60 kms over rough seas.
The Landfall Island is the Northernmost Island of the Andaman & Nicobar Island chain. The flame, while on sea voyage through Andaman & Nicobar Seas of Islands, will transit across the geographical extremities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
PIB Headquarters
3.14 Kg gold worth Rs. 1.30 Crore seized by Customs at Chennai Airport .Two Arrested.
On Tuesday night Mohamed Huzaid, 27 and Chandrakumar, 23, Srilankan nationals who had arrived from Sri Lanka by Air India flight AI274 were intercepted at exit. On search of their persons five crude gold rings and four crude gold chains of 24k purity totally weighing 948 grams valued at Rs.39.12 lakhs were recovered from their pant pockets and seized.
On same night, one Madhavan, 21, of Thanjavur who arrived from Dubai by flight EK 546 was intercepted at exit. On search of his checked in bag two long gold wires weighing 398 gms valued at Rs.16.43 lakhs were ingeniously concealed inside the beading of the bag.same recovered and seized.
On Wednesday based on information, Supreet Singh, 34 and Damanpreet Singh, 25 both of Patiala arrived from Bangkok by Indigo flight 6E 92 were intercepted at exit. On their personal search, two pouches of gold paste were found ingeniously concealed in their turbans. Four bundles of gold paste were recovered from their innerwear and rectum. On extraction 1.8 Kg gold valued at Rs.74.20 Lakhs was recovered and seized. Both were arrested.
Total 3.14 Kg gold valued at Rs. 1.30 Crores was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962. Two arrested.
Further investigation is under process, according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles death of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed sadness on the demise of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan.
Shri Modi Tweeted:
"Saddened by the passing away of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. He will be remembered for his insightful knowledge on matters of theology and spirituality. He was also passionate about community service and social empowerment. Condolences to his family and countless well-wishers. RIP."
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
189.48 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 19,509
Active cases stand at 0.05%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.74%
2,802 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
4,25,44,689
3,205 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
83.89 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,27,327 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
|
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
|
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 200.33 Cr
Over 3.80 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 1,43,654
15,528 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.47%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 4.57%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 200.33 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,64,01,846 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 3.80 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,04,10,439
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,00,80,435
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
60,46,019
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,84,27,814
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,76,53,682
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1,15,24,159
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3,80,72,341
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2,63,53,877
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
6,08,73,139
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
5,01,97,765
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
55,89,43,347
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
50,61,59,573
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
74,42,441
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
20,35,77,575
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
19,46,30,222
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
54,45,034
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12,73,67,539
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
12,16,14,534
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,85,35,322
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
5,89,92,975
|
|
Total
|
|
2,00,33,55,257
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 1,43,654. Active cases now constitute 0.33% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.47%. 16,113 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,31,13,623.
15,528 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 4,68,350 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 87.01 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 4.57% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 3.32%.
Ministry of Finance
Notification No. 48/2023-Customs 
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section  of section 51A of the Customs Act, 1962 , the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, on being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient to do so, hereby makes the following further amendments to the notification No.19/2022-Customs  dated the 30th March 2022, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section  vide S.O. 1512 , dated the 30th March, 2022, namely, -
In the said notification, in para 2, for the words, `1st July, 2023`, the words `1st October, 2023` shall be substituted.
Note : The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section-3, Sub-section , vide notification no. 19/2022–Customs , dated the 30th March, 2022, vide number S. O. 1512 , dated the 30th March, 2022 and was amended by notification number 48/2022-Customs  dated the 31st May, 2022, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section  vide number S.O. 2494 , dated the 31st May, 2022, notification number 99/2022-Customs  dated the 29th November, 2022, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section  vide number S.O. 5540 , dated the 29th November, 2022, notification number 19/2023-Customs  dated the 30th March, 2023, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section  vide number S.O. 1529 , dated the 30th March , 2023 and notification number 30/2023-Customs  dated the 26th April, 2023, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section  vide number S.O. 1934 , dated the 26th April, 2023.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his punya tithi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his punya tithi.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"भगवान बिरसा मुंडा जी की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें कोटि-कोटि नमन। उन्होंने विदेशी हुकूमत के खिलाफ संघर्ष में अपना सर्वस्व न्योछावर कर दिया। आदिवासी समुदाय के उत्थान के लिए उनके समर्पण और सेवाभाव को कृतज्ञ राष्ट्र सदैव याद रखेगा।"
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy undertakes initiatives to improve research in Hydrogen based technology
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been supporting Research, Development and Demonstration  projects through research institutions and industry inter alia for development of vehicles that run on hydrogen fuel. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research  through National Chemical Laboratory  has also undertaken RD&D projects on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Hydrogen can be used as a fuel for vehicles through fuel cells which convert chemical energy of hydrogen to electricity or through modified internal combustion engines that can use hydrogen. Since both technologies are at pilot stage of development by the industry and not commercially tested in India, cost estimates and timelines of setting up this industry are presently not available.
This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Vaccination Program for Children and Under-18 Population
National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid  and National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization  are deliberating and considering scientific evidences related to vaccination of beneficiaries aged less than 18 years.
Government of India has been supplying Covid-19 vaccines free of cost to the States/UTs for administration to prioritized beneficiaries as recommended by NEGVAC.
ZyCoV-D vaccine manufactured by M/s Cadila Healthcare has received the approval for Restricted Use in Emergency Setting by the National Regulator i.e., Drug Controller General of India  for the age group of 12 years and above based on the interim clinical data of Phase II &Phase III clinical trial conducted in the country.
Following COVID-19 vaccines are under clinical trials in the country for age-group of less than 18 years:
i. M/s Bharat Biotech is conducting Phase II/III clinical trial of COVAXIN on Healthy Volunteers aged 2 to 18 years & firm has submitted interim safety & immunogenicity data to the National Regulator.
ii. M/s Serum institute of India is conducting Phase II/III clinical trial of Nanoparticle Vaccine   in 920 subjects of >2 to 17 years age group.
iii. M/s Biological E Ltd., is conducting Phase II/III clinical trial of RBD of SARS-CoV-2 gene in 624 subjects of ≥5 to <18years age group.
iv. M/s Johnson & Johnson Pvt. Ltd., is conducting Phase II/III clinical trial of Ad.26COV.2S vaccine in age group of 12-17 years .
The approval of aforementioned COVID-19 vaccines is dependent on the successful completion of clinical trials and submission of requisite data to the National Regulator i.e., Drug Controller General of India as per the requirements of New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Textiles
Production of raw jute increased over previous years
The Union Minister of State for Textiles, Smt. Darshana Jardosh in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today shared that the raw jute & Mesta production during the last five years is as under :-
Qty:in lakh bales
|
|
Jute & Mesta Crop
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2021-22
|
|
2022-23 
|
|
72
|
|
68
|
|
60
|
|
90
|
|
95
Source: Jute Advisory Board/Expert Committee on Jute
The production of raw jute has increased over the previous years. However, in year 2020-21, the production of raw jute was low, due to impact of Super Cyclone 'Amphan'.
The Government has adopted following strategy for increasing the raw jute production:-
- Continuation of Jute Packaging Material  Act,1987.
- Implementation of National Jute Development Program  for development and promotion of Jute Sector.
· Declaration of Minimum Support Price for raw jute to support the farmers.
- Procurement of raw jute by Jute Corporation of India at MSP to safeguard the farmers from distress sale.
The demand of packing material has risen due to larger procurement of food grains by the Government. The production capacity of jute mills is hovering around 26 to 28 lakh bales jute bag per year.
By the continuation of Jute Packaging Material  Act,1987, the Government specifies the commodities and the extent to which they are mandatorily required to be packed in Jute Packaging Materials. During the last four years, the Government has kept reservations 100% for food grains and 20% for sugar, to be packed in jute packaging material. Further, the Government procures 88% of the total production of sacking for packaging of food grains. By this way the Government provides tremendous support to jute farmers, jute workers and industry.
Ministry of Textiles
Cabinet approves expenditure for reimbursing the losses under MSP operations for cotton during the cotton years  2014-15 to 2018-19
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its ex-post facto approval for engaging Maharashtra State Cooperative Cotton Growers Marketing Federation Ltd.  to undertake Minimum Support Price operations in the state of Maharashtra as Sub-agent of Cotton Corporation of India  Limited during the cotton years 2017-18 and 2018-19.
The CCEA also approved to incur an expenditure of Rs. 312.93 crore  under Revenue Head for reimbursing the losses to CCI and MSCCGMFL on sale of cotton procured under MSP operations during the cotton years  2017-18 and 2018-19.
The CCEA further approved to incur an additional expenditure of Rs. 748.08 crore  under Revenue Head for reimbursing the losses to CCI and MSCCGMFL on sale of cotton procured under MSP operations during the cotton years  2014-15 & 2015-16.
The approval will help in price support operations of cotton which helps in stabilizing cotton prices and is primarily aimed to safeguard the interests of the farmers and controlling any distress sale.